]]>Many of us were told while we were growing up that we could do anything we wanted to as long as we set our mind to it. Whether it was a doctor, teacher, police officer or for many, a professional athlete, our teachers and parents instilled the hope that anything was possible despite race, sex, shape and size. Although we still encourage this same belief amongst today’s youth, recent media coverage and various TV programs make it seem as if anything is possible as long as you fall under certain categories. Despite the progress that female professional sports have made over the last 10-15 years, a recent surge of housewife-based reality shows have taken over many airwaves and to many are seen as a major set back and cause for concern in regards to today’s younger female demographic.

Jen Welter is a linebacker for the Dallas Diamonds of the Women’s Football Alliance, a women’s professional football league in the United States. She has been playing professional football for over 10 years and throughout her journey has been a vocal advocate for the importance of positive female role models within society and the overall benefit of self-confidence.

“I don’t have any kids but if I had a daughter I’d be mortified at what they see in the media as far as the women that are depicted on TV and stuff. Here are the Kardashians, the Basketball Wives, the Real Housewives and all of those are highlighting women as a by-product of what somebody else has done,” Welter stated. “I want girls to know that they can grow up and do whatever it is they want to do and to live their lives with passion, drive, dream and desire and not to just rely on their life being an outcome of who they marry or who their father is,” she continued.”I want girls to know that athletics is a venue where they can excel, especially in football. I think it’s a beautiful sport for women to see other women playing.”

Being self-confident is a trait that Jen Welter attributes through her love for football. Confirming self-trust leads to motivation and momentum for every professional athlete aspiring to reach their goals and it is something Welter conveys to the numerous young females she speaks with.

“It’s so hard for me to see how many women are hard on themselves in terms of physical appearance. Sports are something that can make you feel good. It’s about saying I don’t train to get attention from a guy I train to be good at my sport and there’s a very big difference when you do it for yourself,” explained the Boston College graduate. “For most women, if they have worked out it’s usually been in the form of trying to make themselves into something that’s appealing for somebody else which means that your self-confidence is coming from an external source and you can’t control that,” she added. “But if your confidence is in you, what you do and who you are then that’s something that’s always under your control and it’s a big thing for females and I don’t think that message gets conveyed to them enough.”

Combining sports and athletics with the messages behind her words, Jen Welter has worked to tackle various issues from teen pregnancy to gang relation or drug use. By introducing and excelling teens interest in not only sport, but the gratification and enjoyment of self health care whether it be physically or physiological, Welter stresses the importance of focus and drive.

“Kids coming up through high school need to realize that in order to make your dreams come true you need to be willing to make some sacrifices because you’re not going out partying all the time like your friends are, you’re choosing to dedicate your time to the pursuit of your dream,” she elucidated.

“You have to be willing to put some of those selfish gratifications aside in order to pursue your career. For me, people ask me why I don’t have kids but to me as an athlete that’s a game changer. If I have kids it will change the course of my athletic career. ‘Am I ready to hang up my cleats to have kids?’ It’s a decision I don’t take lightly,” clarified Welter.

It is no secret that women’s professional football is hidden in the shadows of the NFL or other various men’s leagues, including the college and high school levels. There are no flashy cash rewards or nice cars and houses like many of us see on TV in the news and on the Internet. The players that make up the Women’s Football Alliance play for the love of the game. There is no other incentive or hidden agenda. As one of the top ranked players in the world, Welter says she still faces many obstacles in regards to her status in the entire world of football.

“I’ve coached at men’s football clinics, but you have to prove yourself on many levels. As a female I have to prove myself even though I’ve played as much as I have. I’ve had guys tell me that I can’t hit or tackle, guys who have never played, it’s insulting in a way but sometimes you just have to be better,” she said.

In a sport dominated by men, Jen Welter has stepped up and become a positive voice for all woman, sports oriented or not. She has spent countless hours dedicated to the sport and causes she loves. Her inspiration reaches more than just the girls she motivates as she tells all youth to stand up for what they believe in. She joins a list of heroes encouraging youth to go against the grain and be who they desire to be, regardless of what or whom they see around them.

]]>During his time as a Miami Dolphin, Mark Duper was referred to as ‘Super Duper’ because of his ability to catch almost anything that came his way from Dan Marino. His 11-year tenure in the NFL, all of which were played with the Dolphins, saw Duper catch 511 receptions for 8,869 yards, while scoring 59 touchdowns. He had four 1,000-yard seasons and in 1984 had a career best; 71 catches for 1306 yards and 8 touchdowns. Named to three Pro Bowls and a two-time All-Pro selection, Mark Duper is still fondly remembered by many Dolphins faithful.

Today Mark takes on the name ‘Super Duper’ for reasons far from his ability on the football field. Mark was diagnosed with kidney cancer in early January of this year after doctors found a tumor on his right kidney nearly the size of a football. With the positive confirmation that the cancer had not spread throughout more of his body, Duper underwent a nearly three-hour operation to have his right kidney removed. With the tumor now removed from his body, Duper is feeling like his old self but is well aware of his fortune in finding the disease as early as he did and is now more motivated than ever to raise awareness and fight this deadly disease.

“It’s all about how you take care of yourself and how you approach life,” Mark explained. “I just feel that I’ve been given a second chance in life and I feel that my token of appreciation for what God gave me is that while I’m on this earth I should give to others,” said Duper.

Mark has always been proactive within the community; it was during the Dolphins Cycling Challenge, a 150-mile bike ride to raise money for the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center on November 5, 2011 that Mark first felt the discomfort from the growing tumor. His continuing growing efforts to raise money and awareness for cancer treatment is closely matched to his work with troubled teens whom he stresses education to.

“I do a lot of charity work, not just for cancer, but for kids that are in distress,” Duper said. “I do scholarships for kids to go to college, helping better themselves to help others in life.”

As a professional athlete it can be very difficult living your life in the media, especially as a role model for today’s youth. Duper has always recognized that aspect and has embraced it with the best of intentions.

“Football is a profession that is well recognized, even more than the other pro leagues in the United States which means that people look up to these guys coming out of college playing football,” Duper remarked. “It’s great because if the younger generation sees us doing things, doing good, they will hopefully grow up doing the same thing. Hopefully that trend continues for generations and helps build a good society.”

Mark ‘Super’ Duper is now only dealing with the pains from his 11-year NFL career and is very aware and thankful for his survival. Cancer is a scary thing and can change one’s life in a heartbeat. Positivity and hope are powerful things and for Mark Duper they are both essential if ever faced with this battle.

“Surround yourself with positivity and never give up hope. Always be positive, keep a positive mind and a clean body. I think with the grace of God, the good Lord you can over come this with a positive mind.”

]]>For many athletes their personal stats and accomplishments are their ticket to success, fame, and in most cases, their league or sport’s hall of fame. Sometimes teams, cities and even countries are blessed by the presence of a genuinely good person who turns the entire city or country around, while helping out their team in the game at the same time. For the city of Pittsburgh, Latin America, and the entire United States, they were sent one of the greatest gifts of all, Roberto Clemente.

Born in Barrio San Anton in Carolina, Puerto Rico on August 18, 1934, Clemente was the youngest of seven children in a family that was barely able to afford to get by every day. With his father working as a foreman on a sugarcane plantation and his mother running a grocery store for plantation workers, money was tight for the family. With the state that the family was in, Roberto took jobs as a milk delivery boy and any other odd jobs that were available to earn some extra money for them. Although he started working at a young age, his hard work and perseverance were better displayed on the sandlots in his hometown.

While playing in the LBBPR (Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League), the Brooklyn Dodgers offered him a contract to play with their Triple-A squad in Montreal. Clemente accepted the offer to play in Montreal, but while he was with the team, his talent was overlooked. Pirates’ scout, Clyde Sukeforth, noticed that Clemente was being used as a bench player on the team and had a lot more potential than that. After discussing with the team’s manager, Max Macon, about the possibility of drafting the young right fielder, the possibility became reality as the Pirates took the right fielder with their first pick in the rookie draft.

On April 17, 1955, Clemente made his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first game of a double-header against the Brooklyn Dodgers. At the time, racial tension with the local media and teammates was a common thing for players who were not white or born in North America. Clemente made it known from day one what he thought about the issue, telling the media; “I don’t believe in colour.” He told them that while he was growing up, his parents taught him to never discriminate against someone based on ethnicity.

Clemente would continue playing baseball in Puerto Rico, playing with the Santurce Crabbers in the Puerto Rican Baseball Winter League in the off-season. By 1959 Clemente stopped playing in the winter league and, instead, served in the United States Marine Corps Reserves, who he would continue to serve for until September 1964.

In 1960, Clemente’s bat came to life in many ways. He finished the season with 16 home runs, 94 runs batted in, and had a batting average of .314. He helped lead the Pirates to a 95-59 record; the most wins by the organization in a single season since 1925 when they won their second World Series. That year the Pirates ended up meeting the New York Yankees in the World Series; a team that featured All-Stars such as Roger Maris, Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra, and finished with the best record in baseball that season. Despite being outscored by the Yankees 55-27, outhit 91-60, and out-batted .338 to .256 in the seven-game series, the Pirates took home the World Series that season as they defeated the Yankees 10-9 in the seventh game at Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field. Pirates second baseman, Bill Mazeroski, smacked the game winning home run over the left field wall in the bottom of the 9th inning. With Clemente and the Pirates winning the World Series, he became first Hispanic starter to win the grand prize.

The following season Clemente would hit over 20 home runs as he finished the season with 23 home runs, 89 runs batted in, and batted a cool .351. He would also take home his first Gold Glove Award that season; something he would continue to do for the next 11 seasons until his final season in 1972. Throughout the years Clemente would go on to win the 1966 League MVP and another World Series in 1971; where he was also named the World Series MVP. With Clemente being awarded both the league MVP in ’66 and the World Series MVP in ’71, he became the first Hispanic player to win both awards.

Throughout his career Clemente was always making trips back home to deliver items to those who were less privileged. He would bring food for the families who couldn’t afford to eat every day, as well as baseball equipment for the kids to stay busy and active. Clemente was hoping that by doing this the kids back home would work hard to achieve their goals and make their dreams reality one day, just like he was able to. He didn’t come from the wealthiest family so he knew what type of situation they were in back home.

In December of 1972, a massive earthquake hit Nicaragua that nearly destroyed everything. After hearing the news, Clemente immediately started arranging emergency relief flights. He later learned that the first three relief flights he sent out with the aid packages were diverted by corrupt officials of the Somoza government and the packages were never delivered to the quake victims. On December 31, 1972, about one week after the earthquake hit, Clemente decided to accompany the fourth relief flight hoping that his presence would make a difference and ensure that the aid would be delivered to the victims. The plane Clemente boarded had a history of mechanical problems and sub-par flight personnel, on top of already being overloaded by 4,200 pounds. Immediately after takeoff the flight crashed into the ocean off the coast of Isla Verde, Puerto Rico. Clemente’s body was never found.

Roberto Clemente finished his successful career with 3,000 hits, 166 triples, 240 home runs, 1,305 runs batted in, and batted .317 over his 18-year career. He managed to hit an inside-the-park grand slam in his career, something that will most likely never happen again, and is one of four players to have 10 or more Gold Gloves with a lifetime batting average of .317. One year after his death, Clemente was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, becoming the first person to ever be excluded from the five-year waiting period due to the situation. There is now an award in Major League Baseball called the Roberto Clemente Award; which is handed out each year to the player who best follows his example of humanitarian work. When the Pirates moved into PNC Park, they made the right field wall 21-feet tall to honour Clemente and the number he made famous. They also placed the statue honouring him right outside the stadium on the corner nearest to the Roberto Clemente Bridge.

Pirate fans will never forget the man who brought their city together. He gave the city something to cheer about and a reason to come out to the ballpark every night. He helped rebirth America’s Pastime in Pittsburgh, and more importantly, he opened the door for Hispanic players, just like Jackie Robinson did for him when he broke the colour barrier in 1946. Roberto Clemente was one of a kind. His heart was bigger than his bat ever was and he was a role model in every aspect of life. He will always be remembered by Pirates fans and baseball fans everywhere, not just for what he accomplished on the field, but for the opportunities he created off of them.

]]>Despite being absent from the game since January 5, 2011, Sidney Crosby has remained active within the NHL community and his own community which he grew up in. For the last few months his name has been all over the media for all the wrong reasons. Will Crosby be able to return for the start of next season? Will he ever play again? Will he be the same player? These are all questions that have been repeated day after day around the sports world but have not received any answers. Although he’s been out with a concussion and has been playing it safe by not rushing back, Crosby’s injury has not taken him out of the game entirely.

A few months ago Crosby announced that he would donate the proceeds from his winning gold medal to the Sidney Crosby Foundation; an organization created in Nova Scotia in 2009 that is committed to providing financial support to charities that are beneficial to the community as a whole, specifically charities benefiting children. In 2009, Crosby created the Foundation with the hope that one day he would be able to give back to local communities like the one he grew up in. The $20,000 he ended up donating to the Foundation to help children achieve their dreams was matched by Bell Canada.

With his focus not solely on one charity, Crosby likes to help out as many charities as he can that help out with children. He purchased a luxury suite at the old Mellon Arena, as well as their new CONSOL Energy Center, where he invites a couple of families from local charities to come out and enjoy the Penguins home games with their children throughout the season. He does a lot of hospital visits as well in the city of Pittsburgh and back home in Nova Scotia, where he gets a first-hand look at the different kinds of adversity others have to live with.

He has done charity work with multiple charities such as; Make-A-Wish; Big Brothers Big Sisters; the Boys & Girls Club; Special Olympics of Allegheny County; The Bone Marrow Transplant/Oncology Unit of UPMC Shadyside; The DePaul School for Hearing and Speech; and many others to add to the already admirable list.

Last summer, Crosby helped redevelop the teen lounge for patients at the IWK Health Center in Halifax, Nova Scotia, which is near his hometown of Cole Harbour. The teen lounge is a gathering space designed to meet the unique needs of patients 12 years and older. It is a place for them to experience and enjoy some of the normal interactions that their peers also enjoy. The lounge provides group activities like cooking, crafts and games for special events like birthdays, holiday parties and special visitors like Sidney. While the refurbishing was taking place, Crosby spent some time around the building interacting with patients and supporting the project in it’s entirety.

Although there currently is no time table on his return to the game, Crosby is staying active and remaining the champion that he is off the ice. He has been helping out small communities and charities, while sending a hidden message to children everywhere that it is alright for them to sit the next one out of they are injured, especially if the injury is a concussion. He is a Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins and a hero to the people in the Maritimes. He is the poster boy for hard work and perseverance, not just hockey and the NHL.

]]>Not even an hour into his first public appearance as a Maple Leaf, 30-year-old Indianapolis native John-Michael Liles made a positive impact on the Maple Leafs organization and more importantly, the city of Toronto. Within 10 minutes of sporting the blue and white last Tuesday, Liles was at Toronto SickKids Hospital chatting with youngsters and signing autographs for the ecstatic Leaf fans.

“I know a lot about the Maple Leafs organization and the history involved with it,” Liles told the media. “Having played in the West, growing up an American kid, you have a sense of it, but you don’t fully realize it but now I’m a part of it and it’s going to catch on pretty quickly,” he added.

Liles, who had a strong role within the Denver community while playing for the Avalanche, is looking to continue his community involvement and become a positive role model for not only what is expected of the newly acquired defenseman come this October, but for his involvement off the ice.

The Maple Leafs who make many community appearances throughout the year, have always had an influential role in the Toronto community. They have seen many great players dawn the blue and white and become heroes for their off-ice charitable work around the city. This has become more evident since team President and General Manager Brian Burke was hired by the organization as he has pushed for excellence on and off the ice and has pushed his players to become more active in the Toronto community since coming on board.

For a team that is once again starting to become relevant in the NHL; while sporting one of the youngest rosters in the league and mending a connection between fans and players that has been lost for a good part of this last decade, there was no better way for Liles to make his Maple Leafs debut. There is no telling what will happen come October, but John-Michael Liles has wasted no time winning over the hearts of those in Leafs land.

]]>In the world of Mixed Martial Arts, no competitor maybe other than Anderson ‘The Spider’ Silva, can be compared to George St-Pierre in terms of skill, success and popularity amongst the fans. His patience and excellence in the octagon has made him one of the most credible champions the UFC has seen and his charisma, wit and personality has made him one of the most respected figures in the business. Never one to look past an opponent, GSP has always been well trained and focused heading into important fights which for him is every event he takes part in.

On the night of UFC 83 in Montreal, St-Pierre was gearing up to face Matt Serra in a highly anticipated rematch for the UFC Welterweight Championship. One of the biggest nights in GSP’s career at that point saw the spotlight turned away from the Canadian fighter as he was greeted by a visitor before the bout. A young man named Michael, whose wrestling dreams came to an end after a devastating accident left him in a wheelchair, paid St-Pierre a pre-fight visit and offered words of encouragement. His words and gratitude offered up motivation and emotion that would eventually help lead St-Pierre to victory and in turn regain the Welter Weight Title; which he has yet to lose. Although it is rare to see fighters to allow such an emotional circumstance take place hours before a fight, let alone a title fight, there was no doubt in St-Pierre’s mind that he would allow this boys dream to come true.

UFC 83 proved to be a pivotal night, not only in terms of GSP regaining his Welterweight Title; but the events before the fight spawned the start of the GSP Foundation. Helping sick kids, assisting in community interests and charitable causes as well as being a positive role model for today’s youth has been St-Pierre’s main focus since that night in April, 2008. As one of the most respected fighters in the UFC today, Georges St-Pierre has become a positive and successful role model for Mixed Martial Arts fans both young and old. He has become active within the community and has been involved in numerous fundraising events as well as holding a few of his own.

Throughout his career and time with the UFC, St-Pierre has been known to be a humble, respectful and cautious champion. His respect towards fighters, media and management is a testament to his non-flashy but effective fighting style in the octagon. His charity work and leadership for at risk youth and all children alike has made him a constant force in all aspects of his MMA career. Whether or not Georges St-Pierre is the very best in the sport, as it is a constant debate between MMA and UFC fans, there is no question when it comes to his status as one of the best and most respected champions to step into the octagon.

His time in the UFC and as champion may not last forever, but his legacy and hard work will never be forgotten. To UFC fans around the world there is no fighter like him, and to the many children he has assisted there is no other hero like him. His positive attitude and admiration for others are the making of a true champion. He has used his platform of success to bring joy to the lives of others who struggle to find that light.

]]>Since being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens 26th overall in the 1996 NFL Draft, Ray Lewis has without a doubt been one of the meanest players on the field in the game of football and in the entire history of the NFL. He has led the Baltimore Ravens in tackles for twelve of the fourteen seasons he has played and has been a key element to the Ravens’ powerful rush defense and a leader on their defense in general. He has had the opportunity to hoist the Super Bowl over his head while being named the Super Bowl MVP, he has won many defensive awards and has been selected many times to represent the Baltimore Ravens in the Pro Bowl; twelve to be exact. He has broken records and broken up plays but Ray Lewis focuses on putting together the pieces for children to show them the childhood they didn’t think was possible to have.

For as long as he has been a pro athlete, Ray Lewis has done whatever he can to help give back to the community that first adopted him and helped turn him into the household name that he has become today. For about twelve years now, Lewis has been very generous with the city of Baltimore. Every Thanksgiving he hands out nearly 800 turkeys to families that are in need and can’t afford to have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Aside from handing out meals to those who are in need, Lewis also makes an appearance to hand out both hugs and handshakes as it’s not about the hand-outs for Lewis, but being hands-on with the people.

“I was once in that line before,” Lewis told the Baltimore Sun. “Me and my mom, we grew up hard. She made sure that when we got older, we knew that giving back was one of the most important things.”

To this date, Ray Lewis has done remarkable work with the Ray Lewis Foundation; a non-profit tax-exempt corporation whose mission is to provide personal and economic assistance to disadvantaged youth. Doing everything he did before without it being exposed as much to the media, Lewis now wants to take his charitable work to the next level. He wants to be seen in the public eye for what he does off the field and not just on the field because without the awareness being spread amongst others, no one will ever know about the problems that surround them in their own communities.

Earlier this year, Ray Lewis promoted both his RL52 sports apparel as well as the Ray Lewis Foundation at Mother’s Federal Hill Grille where he was joined by 200 Ravens fans that came to show their support for both Ray Lewis and the cause he was promoting. Being able to meet and greet with the Ravens Pro Bowl linebacker, as well as the opportunity to purchase items from his new clothing line, fans came from all over the city to take advantage of the opportunity to meet their hero and be a hero for someone else. He also teamed up with Wal-Mart this past winter and helped provide coats, gloves, hats and blankets to 300 children and seniors in the Baltimore area who were living in poverty or undeserved communities.

Just recently, a mother of 4 committed suicide in New York as she drove her car into the Hudson River with all of her children inside the car. The only survivor, 10-year old La’Shaun Armstrong, was able to escape through a window. Shortly after the incident, Ray Lewis reached out to the young boy with some help from his other charity called the United Athletes Foundation; a non-profit organization created by a group of professional athletes who understood their unique role in improving the lives of both the athlete fraternity and society in its entirety, where he sits on the Board of Directors as the Vice-Chairman. Lewis understands that La’Shaun should not have to deal with all of this at such a young age and deserves a father figure to mentor him through life. Proceeds from an event that was held this past Saturday will go to the young boy, including scholarship money. The event was not just a one-time thing as both Ray Lewis and the United Athletes Foundation would like to help out young La’Shaun for the long run.

“I don’t want to come into his life for a phase,” Lewis told the Canadian Press in a statement. “I want to be in his life forever.”